More Grandmother's Flower Garden Fun

The only thing I love more than applique quilting is teaching new quilters different applique techniques. I had a wonderful opportunity to teach a wonderful group of ladies an intro Grandmother's Flower Garden project. We appliqued a single flower to a simple quilt sandwich. One day I will put mine in the frame I have yet to stain, so many projects.

It is such a compliment to have someone send photos of their projects. Thanks Lisa for these great pictures and for being such a great mom to your children and bus kids.Quilting @ the Provincial Semi Finals, Yes this is my RED hair I wear it and CHEER LOUD!!!

Making Grandmothers flowers, out of my Grandmas old clothes.

Quilting on the bus. (not while I'm driving!!!!)

Showing off some of my flowers! I get 1 1/2 done a day, only do it on the bus,
or I wouldn't get anything done!!!!!!!!!

So I am thrilled to share my love for creating future treasures with those around me, I am so blessed. I am looking forward to the beginning of December and a girls trip to Las Vegas. A little shopping and little seeing the sites and a few quilt stores if I am lucky. I plan to bring along my own Grandmother's Flower Garden, this beautiful quilt is becoming quite the world traveler. Of course I will post pictures when I get home. Life is good, Happy Quilting

Fall Fun and Machine Quilting

How the time flies, three weeks out of commission with a nasty cold makes a month go by faster, I guess. Our colds are just about gone and so here I am back at my computer.

We had two of the cutest trick-or-treaters, a Panda and a Skunk. Our oldest collected some candy this year, it was very entertaining and lots of fun.

Between the nose blowing and the apple juice I was able to get some projects finished. My Joy to the World by Nancy Halverson quilting group project is DONE, awaiting quilting and binding. I am very excited to see the other ladies complete their projects.

I was also able to complete the top of a special project, we'll talk about that later.

So now we have my quilting frame up and an old friend being worked on. I have a little rule about quilting a pieced top from the "archives" before quilting a new project. It helps to get as much practice as possible and to have some quilts to show for all my time spent at the machine. This is I think, the third quilt I ever made. It's a machine pieced drunkard's path, crazy for a newbie - I don't suggest it. I was inexperienced when selecting my fabrics so ya, not my favorite but a great tea party blanket for my girls.

I love to quilt my own quilts, its so much fun. I get overly frustrated at times but at the end of it all it's a great way to spend an afternoon.

The whole family has a cold

Things have been a little sneezey, coughy and crazy around our house this week. Usually either mom or dad can stay out of the germy mix but not this time. We are going through the detailed disinfecting of our house and all hope to be better by next week! There are some great new opportunities and quilts to talk about and pictures to come, next week ;) For now I am off to blow my nose and wash, wash, wash my hands!!

Fall leaves and Quilting Fun

TN Cowboy web
Originally uploaded by Darcy-thepatternplace

The leaves are turning and the air is crisp again. Its quite fun to notice the subtle beauty and not so subtle changes in our neighborhood. Crunchy sounds as you walk on the sidewalk, my little girl having a melt down because she can't wear shorts under her princess dress ;) aah, all the signs of fall.

Well here is a picture of the latest quilt, from genesis to binding and with lots of help from Grammy along the way. It was a gift to our Tennessee Cowboy, so, yep, that's it's new name. Here is Tennessee Cowboy.

Admittedly I spend a minute or two on line, a few groups here, a few more things there. In my travels I happen upon some really great web sites. My new favorite is a wonderful example of great quilting information, from beautiful panto patterns - to download, by the way :), to a very informative and interesting blog, with tips, techniques, tons of pictures and even video. A free pattern every now and again and I am sold. Take a look while on your internet travels.

Feel free to suggests some of your favorite quilting sites and or blogs, we would love to hear from you.
Happy Quilting

New Halloween Applique Banner

Well it has been a very long time, but here is a new pattern from The Pattern Place. We love Halloween and this project makes a great addition to our holiday decorations, we hope for yours as well. The example is shown using wool and wool felt. The banner measures 9.5" wide by 32" tall. Each box is approximately 5" square. The appliques are sewn by hand with embroidery floss.

We welcome your feedback and comments.

Must sleep... :) Happy Quilting

Machine Quilting and Happy Birthday

Well tomorrow is a busy day in our house. Our oldest daughter turns a great big, huge, 3 years old. She is a ray of sunshine and a storm of emotions as all toddlers/preschoolers should be, I thankfully cherish the days when that doesn't happen all at one time ;) Big kisses little girl.

I have had some very productive hours at my machine and more recently with my quilting frame and now have some personal projects finished and quilted. I love to see the 'to be quilted' pile shrinking and the 'just needs binding' pile growing. I must remember to take some pictures during this process, usually it's the middle of the night and or I am just so excited to get something done I simply forget. I will of course post some pictures of the finished product here and when I get the patterns up on The Pattern Place website.

Well in endless pursuit of all things quilting within the vastness of the internet I have come across a wonderful new magazine and quilt designer. Quilter's Connection is a new quarterly Canadian Quilting Publication that looks GREAT. I am still trying to track down my copy of the first issue but the website is very nice and complete. I knew I was in love when I saw the applique project on the front cover. It is a wonderful and sophisticated example of modern applique quilting and so I went on a search for more details. The designer is a fellow Canadian and stay at home mom, Laurraine Yuyama of Patchwork Pottery. Her designs are beautiful and so delicious. I am so encouraged and inspired by the direction quilting is taking here at home.

Very exciting, congratulations to all. I am determined to get my copy this week. Thank goodness for the internet, I wouldn't have known what fun I was missing out on otherwise ;) Happy Quilting

Storage and Organization for Embroidery Floss used to Applique.

Well I am up late tonight but I am almost finished a great new Applique Halloween Banner. I am stitching the wool appliques with coordinating embroidery floss, so I pulled out my hand dandy storage totes. I love these little guys, they are so cute and make me smile. It was very easy and inexpensive to put all this together. The plastic containers, floss cards and pink winder cost less then $20.00. I begin by writing the DMC number on the card and then slip the wrappers off the skeins. Place the winder upright on the dividing walls of the container. Attach the cards to the winder, the floss to the card and start winding. When finished secure the floss to the card and most fun of all, place the wound card in color order, light to dark. I do enjoy putting the cards in color order, yes a little compulsion thing going on there but it's manageable ;) I keep the totes in a canvas bag with other cross stitch essentials in the cupboard under my cutting table. My three year old always gushes when I open the cupboard, "oh Mom can I play with your toys too" Yes this cupboard has "Mom's toys" in it. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the pictures and are inspired to sort your embroidery floss stash. Don't forget to write the color number on each card before you add the wrappers to the garbage pile, it takes the guess work out of what color it is exactly. Let me know your storage tricks and tips or your applique/embroidery story I can send you a coupon code for discounts on your next download from The Pattern Place. Happy Quilting